the republican numbers went down much more than barack obama's did last year. i think they have to be careful about what they are doing here. >> i think the reason simon doesn't like it is because it gives the republicans leverage to force the president to deal with the debt. the president has as much chance of succeeding as you have of getting john bolton to cry on your show. megyn: i think i can do it. a challenge? >> i bet you can. in the last 27 years, every significant debt reduction bill that passed starting with graham rosen has been linked to a debt limit increase. this is the only tool in washington that forces both sides to do something about the debt and spendersing. so republicans aren't going to give this up because it's the only tool they have in this political situation to stop the president from going forward. and the reality is last year speaker boehner set an important resident. it's called the boehner rule. one dollar in spending increase for one dollar for debt limit increase. you balance the budge net 10 years without raising taxes. the rep